Professor John Collomosse, Director of DECaDE, appeared before the Committee on 9 December 2025 to give expert witness testimony on technical approaches that enable creative rightsholders to meaningfully reserve and enforce their rights in relation to AI systems.
Collomosse framed the AI–copyright challenge as fundamentally a “content supply chain problem,” noting that the solution lies in strengthening the infrastructure that underpins digital content flows. He highlighted the role of open-source provenance standards, such as the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), as critical tools for bringing transparency and traceability to the content supply chain.
After the session, Collomosse said: “We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important national conversation on the future of creativity, rights, and responsible AI,” noting that he drew on insights from the recently published CoSTAR National Lab/DECaDE “Time to ACCCT” report.
The report highlights how free, open media provenance standards form the foundation of a capability stack that strengthens creator agency, enabling artists, writers, and other rightsholders to express their AI-use preferences and participate in fair and ethical licensing arrangements with greater clarity and control.
Whilst giving evidence, Collomosse outlined how media provenance frameworks can unlock granular, transparent licensing models suited to the age of generative AI—allowing creators to track when and how their works are used and remunerated. He emphasised that media provenance is emerging as a cornerstone technology for a responsible AI ecosystem, highlighting tools such as ContentARCs and the ACCCT framework as practical routes toward a fairer digital economy.
Watch Prof. John Collomosse giving evidence before the House of Lords Communications and Digital Select Committee.
ENDS
DECaDE is the UKRI Centre for the Decentralised Digital Economy, bringing together expertise in AI, Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), and cybersecurity, alongside business, law, and human-centred design. The centre collaborates with over 30 commercial partners, including Adobe and the BBC, and works closely with policymakers, including the Cabinet Office and Scottish Government.
